OUR SERVICES
Gender Affirming Care
East Lansing • Old Town • Online
Gender affirming care saves lives.
Are you seeking a gender affirming surgery letter? Our clinicians are honored to be part of this journey with you. We know how important it is to have access to gender affirming care and are here to support you with your next steps.
What to Expect:
Following the WPATH Standards of Care 8, there are guidelines that require mental health clinicians to complete letter(s) of support for those seeking surgical intervention for gender dysphoria. Folks that are using their health insurance to cover their gender affirming surgical procedures are required to complete this step, as well as those seeking out-of-pocket services with a physician who follow this protocol.
We acknowledge that this creates a power dynamic that puts us in the position of having entitlement to knowing anything and everything about your journey. Because of this, we strive to make this process as simple as possible using a collaborative approach and recognition of the importance of informed consent. We want to minimize barriers and gatekeeping by validating your experience and supporting your right to self-determination.
Rates + Insurance
Rooted is in-network with BCBS, BCN, Aetna, PHP, and McLaren for letter writing services but we never want finances to be a barrier to such important services.
If you have an insurance we don’t accept or don’t have insurance, please still complete an inquiry form - we offer reduced rates/pro bono sessions and letter writing clinic days to keep this part of your journey as affordable as we can.
How To Begin:
Step 1
Schedule appointment for letter writing services by completing a client inquiry form here and we will send you scheduling date/time options.
Step 2
Prior to your session, an email will be sent to you with a link to a private client portal in which you will complete initial paperwork.
Step 3
Attend your letter writing assessment appointment. This will be a collaborative process where we will cover your goals and desires from this procedure as well as identifying any questions you may have about the process. Our clinicians will provide psychoeducation and assist you with creating questions to ask your physician about the procedure if necessary.
Your clinician may write your letter during your session or they will gather the necessary information to complete your letter following your session. Your clinician will receive your approval of the language used in this letter prior to signing it to ensure that it accurately reflects your experience of dysphoria and the benefits of this surgery.
Because of the amount of information gathering that is required, in some cases it may take more than one session to complete your letter. This is on a case-by-case basis and there is no minimum number of sessions required to complete your letter.
Step 4
We will send a finalized copy of the letter to your provider and to you. We will coordinate care with other mental health providers and medical staff as appropriate using a multi-disciplinary approach.
Step 5
Your letter is valid for one year. If you need this letter renewed after one year, or you are seeking another letter for a different surgical procedure, you will have to make another appointment to begin this process again.
If you are only seeking letter writing services, the therapeutic relationship you establish will end after the letter is provided. If you wish to continue therapy services, please speak to our admin team to discuss options for ongoing treatment!
*Providers reserve the right to refuse to provide a letter if deemed clinically contraindicated.